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Economy of Guatemala vs Paraguay compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Guatemala has a GDP of $113B compared to $44.5B for Paraguay, ranking 68/197 and 98/197 by economy size, respectively.

Guatemala has $29.8B in government debt (26.3% of GDP), compared to $19.9B (44.8% of GDP) in Paraguay.

Guatemala vs Paraguay GDP by year

Guatemala
Paraguay
1x
Year GDP, current $
Guatemala Paraguay
2024 $113,199,581,158 $44,458,118,397
2023 $104,368,755,055 $43,118,053,175
2022 $95,641,446,501 $41,952,910,858
2021 $86,455,522,273 $39,950,899,939
2020 $77,719,468,248 $35,432,178,068
2019 $77,172,331,693 $37,925,338,329
2018 $73,328,356,008 $40,225,448,341
2017 $71,653,780,740 $38,997,129,474
2016 $66,053,408,206 $36,089,700,223
2015 $62,186,066,548 $36,211,447,840
2014 $57,852,159,008 $40,377,929,296
2013 $52,996,420,177 $38,501,122,141
2012 $49,593,929,487 $33,271,921,136
2011 $46,876,006,272 $33,756,238,766
2010 $40,676,578,423 $27,260,886,405
2009 $37,126,148,265 $22,355,151,162
2008 $38,503,720,224 $24,615,267,664
2007 $33,567,850,824 $17,856,393,235
2006 $29,744,246,827 $13,429,430,050
2005 $26,783,389,294 $10,737,500,188
2004 $23,577,298,095 $9,624,440,836
2003 $21,576,351,799 $7,691,367,471
2002 $20,444,205,991 $7,196,260,657
2001 $18,405,220,247 $8,495,806,432
2000 $19,288,929,030 $8,855,705,140
1999 $18,318,412,251 $8,837,070,236
1998 $19,395,491,993 $9,260,481,572
1997 $17,790,026,222 $9,965,225,678
1996 $15,674,835,615 $9,788,391,781
1995 $14,655,404,433 $9,062,131,475
1994 $12,983,233,311 $7,870,982,005
1993 $11,400,017,301 $7,249,533,620
1992 $10,440,781,588 $7,157,424,031
1991 $9,406,135,143 $6,984,367,763
1990 $7,650,196,845 $5,812,114,523
1989 $8,410,724,361 $4,757,732,200
1988 $7,841,602,824 $4,255,683,528
1987 $7,084,399,840 $3,971,044,724
1986 $7,231,963,516 $3,723,993,943
1985 $9,721,652,087 $3,282,449,236
1984 $9,470,000,100 $4,502,462,807
1983 $9,050,000,400 $5,673,248,726
1982 $8,716,999,700 $5,419,411,765
1981 $8,607,500,300 $5,624,515,873
1980 $7,878,700,000 $4,448,087,302
1979 $6,902,600,200 $3,416,777,778
1978 $6,070,600,200 $2,559,857,143
1977 $5,480,500,200 $2,092,158,730
1976 $4,365,300,200 $1,698,960,317
1975 $3,645,900,000 $1,511,420,635
1974 $3,161,499,900 $1,333,475,397
1973 $2,569,200,100 $995,531,746
1972 $2,101,300,000 $769,039,683
1971 $1,984,800,000 $664,571,429
1970 $1,904,000,000 $594,611,111
1969 $1,715,399,900 $556,293,651
1968 $1,610,500,000 $517,650,794
1967 $1,453,500,000 $492,674,603
1966 $1,390,700,000 $465,888,889
1965 $1,331,399,900 $443,587,302
1964 $1,299,099,900 $408,349,206
1963 $1,262,800,000 $383,904,762
1962 $1,143,600,000 $360,698,413
1961 $1,076,699,900 $322,053,713
1960 $1,043,599,900 $288,884,368

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1960–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).

GeoRank.org/economy/guatemala/paraguay | CC BY

GDP per capita in Guatemala vs Paraguay by year

Guatemala
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Paraguay
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Guatemala Paraguay
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $6,150 $14,369 $6,416 $18,524
2023 $5,758 $13,745 $6,300 $17,564
2022 $5,359 $13,014 $6,206 $16,347
2021 $4,913 $11,825 $5,977 $15,406
2020 $4,478 $10,947 $5,365 $14,309
2019 $4,512 $10,756 $5,821 $14,150
2018 $4,353 $9,947 $6,258 $14,139
2017 $4,325 $9,560 $6,152 $13,977
2016 $4,060 $9,201 $5,775 $13,329
2015 $3,894 $8,934 $5,879 $12,679
2014 $3,689 $8,237 $6,652 $12,607
2013 $3,444 $7,700 $6,436 $12,137
2012 $3,287 $7,258 $5,642 $10,954
2011 $3,169 $6,784 $5,805 $11,442
2010 $2,805 $6,510 $4,751 $10,893
2009 $2,612 $6,377 $3,942 $9,802
2008 $2,763 $6,435 $4,385 $9,867
2007 $2,459 $6,238 $3,212 $9,179
2006 $2,225 $5,833 $2,439 $8,561
2005 $2,046 $5,486 $1,971 $8,007
2004 $1,841 $5,263 $1,786 $7,686
2003 $1,723 $5,081 $1,444 $7,276
2002 $1,669 $4,969 $1,368 $6,924
2001 $1,538 $4,822 $1,638 $6,916
2000 $1,649 $4,715 $1,736 $6,937
1999 $1,604 $4,557 $1,766 $7,080
1998 $1,741 $4,437 $1,890 $7,227
1997 $1,638 $4,287 $2,079 $7,299
1996 $1,481 $4,143 $2,088 $7,040
1995 $1,421 $4,055 $1,979 $6,966
1994 $1,293 $3,886 $1,760 $6,542
1993 $1,166 $3,756 $1,662 $6,234
1992 $1,096 $3,626 $1,683 $5,952
1991 $1,014 $3,473 $1,685 $5,873
1990 $848 $3,330 $1,440 $5,637
1989 $958 - $1,211 -
1988 $919 - $1,114 -
1987 $854 - $1,069 -
1986 $896 - $1,031 -
1985 $1,238 - $935 -
1984 $1,241 - $1,319 -
1983 $1,220 - $1,710 -
1982 $1,204 - $1,680 -
1981 $1,216 - $1,793 -
1980 $1,142 - $1,457 -
1979 $1,026 - $1,149 -
1978 $925 - $883 -
1977 $856 - $740 -
1976 $697 - $616 -
1975 $595 - $562 -
1974 $529 - $508 -
1973 $441 - $389 -
1972 $370 - $308 -
1971 $358 - $272.1 -
1970 $353 - $249 -
1969 $326 - $238.2 -
1968 $315 - $226.8 -
1967 $291.9 - $220.9 -
1966 $287.3 - $213.9 -
1965 $283 - $208.7 -
1964 $284.2 - $197 -
1963 $284.4 - $189.9 -
1962 $265.2 - $182.8 -
1961 $257.2 - $167.1 -
1960 $256.8 - $153.4 -

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1960–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).

GeoRank.org/economy/guatemala/paraguay | CC BY

Guatemala's GDP per capita is $6,150, ranking 112/197, compared to $6,416 in Paraguay, ranking 109/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Guatemala ranks 116th at $14,369, while Paraguay ranks 102nd at $18,524.

Economic indicators

Guatemala Paraguay
Gross domestic product
$113B
2024
$44.5B
2024
GDP rank
68/197
2024
98/197
2024
GDP growth
3.65%
2023-2024
4.25%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$6,150
2024
$6,416
2024
GDP per capita rank
112/197
2024
109/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$14,369
2024
$18,524
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
116/197
2024
102/197
2024
Government debt
$29.8B
2024
$19.9B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
26.3%
2024
44.8%
2024
Government debt per person
$1,619
2024
$2,872
2024
Government debt per person rank
124/185
2024
103/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$4,917
2026
$6,136
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies n/a
$313M
1999
Income share by richest 10%
34.1%
2023
35%
2024
Income share by poorest 10%
1.6%
2023
2%
2024
Government expenditure, % of GDP
13.4%
2024
21%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
2.87%
2023-2024
3.84%
2023-2024
Central bank interest rate
4%
2025
6%
2024
Unemployment rate
1.9%
2024
5.69%
2024
Population
19049936
7120169

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Guatemala
Spending

Debt
Paraguay
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Guatemala Paraguay
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 13.4% 26.3% 21% 44.8%
2023 13.7% 27.2% 21.5% 41.1%
2022 14.3% 29% 20.2% 40.5%
2021 13.5% 30.6% 20.4% 37.5%
2020 15.6% 31.5% 22.6% 36.9%
2019 13.4% 26.4% 20.1% 25.8%
2018 13.2% 26.4% 18.5% 22.3%
2017 12.8% 25.1% 18.1% 19.8%
2016 12.6% 24.9% 17.7% 19.4%
2015 12.6% 24.8% 18% 18.6%
2014 13.6% 24.7% 17.1% 15.6%
2013 14% 25% 17.1% 13.5%
2012 14.2% 24.6% 17.6% 12.3%
2011 14.5% 23.8% 14.7% 11.1%
2010 14.5% 24% 13.3% 13%
2009 14.1% 22.8% 14.3% 14.9%
2008 13.3% 19.6% 11.8% 16%
2007 13.9% 20.8% 13.1% 16.8%
2006 14.2% 20.9% 14.1% 21%
2005 13.2% 20% 14% 28.3%
2004 12.9% 20.6% 14% 36%
2003 14.4% 19.8% 14.6% 37.5%
2002 13.1% 17.4% 17.6% 50.5%
2001 13.8% 19.1% 19% 37.1%
2000 13.6% 18% 19.6% 33.6%
1999 14.6% 22% 19.2% 32%
1998 13.2% 19% 18% 22.1%
1997 11.2% 18.5% 18.1% 18%
1996 9.85% 19.2% 16.9% 16.8%
1995 9.77% 21% 15.7% 17.6%
1994 - - 14.5% 18.7%
1993 - - 12.9% 26.6%
1992 - - 13% 34.4%
1991 - - 11.4% 49.4%
1990 - - 10.5% 67%
1989 - - 11.8% 52.9%
1988 - - 9.75% 58.9%
1987 - - 10.1% 68.7%
1986 - - 9.25% 57.1%
1985 - - 11.4% 54.7%
1984 - - 13% 31%
1983 - - 13% 22.6%
1982 - - 13.2% 21.3%
1981 - - 13.3% 17.4%
1980 - - 11.6% 17.4%
1979 - - 11.7% 19.7%
1978 - - 11.9% 20.9%
1977 - - 11.2% 18.8%
1976 - - 9.8% 14.1%
1975 - - 10.5% 12.6%
1974 - - 9.44% 12.5%
1973 - - 11.2% 15.4%
1972 - - 12.5% 18.2%
1971 - - 12.3% 18.9%
1970 - - 13.3% 19.2%
1969 - - 14% -
1968 - - 13.5% -
1967 - - 12.2% -

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1967–1999, retrieved 2026-02-20).

GeoRank.org/economy/guatemala/paraguay | CC BY

In 2024, Guatemala's government spending was $15.1B, accounting for 13.4% of its GDP, while Paraguay spent $9.33B, or 21% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 26.3% in Guatemala and 44.8% in Paraguay, ranking 161/185 and 120/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Guatemala

Paraguay
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Guatemala Paraguay
2024 -0.96% -2.12%
2023 -1.25% -3.81%
2022 -1.7% -2.64%
2021 -1.16% -3.39%
2020 -4.91% -5.72%
2019 -2.24% -2.44%
2018 -1.88% -1.01%
2017 -1.38% -0.44%
2016 -1.11% -0.37%
2015 -1.47% -0.44%
2014 -1.92% -0.27%
2013 -2.16% -1.16%
2012 -2.42% -0.58%
2011 -2.8% 1.29%
2010 -3.28% 1.54%
2009 -3.12% 0.59%
2008 -1.57% 2.29%
2007 -1.4% 1.27%
2006 -1.88% 0.91%
2005 -1.67% 0.74%
2004 -1.05% 1.33%
2003 -2.47% -0.07%
2002 -1.03% -1.89%
2001 -2% 0.07%
2000 -1.88% -0.55%
1999 -2.96% 2.67%
1998 -2.29% 4.28%
1997 -0.79% 3%
1996 0.04% 2.43%
1995 -0.53% 2.78%
1994 - 4.59%
1993 - 4.27%
1992 - 3.1%
1991 - 3.41%
1990 - 7.56%
1989 - 5.48%
1988 - 3.01%
1987 - 2.68%
1986 - 3.08%
1985 - 0.85%
1984 - -0.42%
1983 - 0.27%
1982 - 1.52%
1981 - 0.15%
1980 - 3.4%
1979 - 4.13%
1978 - -3.42%
1977 - -0.19%
1976 - -0.06%
1975 - -1.24%
1974 - 1.67%
1973 - -0.91%
1972 - -2.51%
1971 - -1.25%
1970 - -1.26%
1969 - -1.62%
1968 - -2.34%
1967 - -1.7%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1967–1989, retrieved 2026-02-20).

GeoRank.org/economy/guatemala/paraguay | CC BY

In 2024, Guatemala's government deficit, the difference between spending and revenue, was $1.09B, equivalent to 0.96% of GDP. This compares to Paraguay's deficit of $942M, or 2.12% of GDP.

Over the past 30 years, Guatemala recorded a fiscal deficit in 29 of those years, while Paraguay ran a deficit in 16 years. On average, Guatemala posted an annual deficit equal to 1.84% of GDP, compared to deficit of 0.06% of GDP for Paraguay.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Guatemala

Paraguay
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Guatemala Paraguay
2024 2.87% 3.84%
2023 6.21% 4.63%
2022 6.89% 9.77%
2021 4.26% 4.79%
2020 3.21% 1.77%
2019 3.7% 2.76%
2018 3.75% 3.98%
2017 4.42% 3.6%
2016 4.45% 4.09%
2015 2.39% 3.13%
2014 3.42% 5.03%
2013 4.34% 2.68%
2012 3.78% 3.68%
2011 6.21% 8.25%
2010 3.86% 4.65%
2009 1.86% 2.59%
2008 11.4% 10.2%
2007 6.82% 8.13%
2006 6.56% 9.59%
2005 9.11% 6.81%
2004 7.58% 4.32%
2003 5.6% 14.2%
2002 8.13% 10.5%
2001 7.29% 7.27%
2000 5.98% 8.98%
1999 5.21% 6.75%
1998 6.61% 11.6%
1997 9.23% 6.95%

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1997–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).

GeoRank.org/economy/guatemala/paraguay | CC BY

Over the past 28 years, Guatemala has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 5.54%, compared with 6.23% in Paraguay. In 2024, inflation was 2.87% in Guatemala and 3.84% in Paraguay.

Top exports between countries

Guatemala
Export category Export value
Chemicals & pharma $2.43M
Metals $946K
Raw materials & minerals $668K
Miscellaneous $212K
Machinery & equipment $54K
Textiles & consumer goods $44K
Wood & paper products $17K
Paraguay
Export category Export value
Chemicals & pharma $2.78M
Raw agricultural goods $1.98M
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $1.36M
Machinery & equipment $382K
Wood & paper products $160K
Animal & marine products $114K
Textiles & consumer goods $89K
Metals $2K

Balance of trade

Guatemala Paraguay
Current account balance
$3.27B
2024
-$1.53B
2024
Current account balance ranking
38/190
2024
133/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
+2.89%
2024
-3.44%
2024
Goods imports
$29.1B
2024
$15.8B
2024
Goods exports
$13.3B
2024
$14.9B
2024
Service imports
$6.45B
2024
$2.54B
2024
Service exports
$4.65B
2024
$2.65B
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
31.5%
2024
39.6%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
15.9%
2024
37.2%
2024

Economic freedom indices

The indices of economic freedom below are issued by the Heritage Foundation. Higher scores indicate stronger economic health.

Guatemala Paraguay
Economic freedom 63.5 66.4
Economic freedom ranking 79/197 61/197
Property rights 39.1 44.2
Government integrity 25.2 27.3
Judicial effectiveness 26.1 38.4
Tax burden 91.3 95.9
Government spending 94.3 86.9
Fiscal health 95.9 83
Business freedom 65.7 72
Labor freedom 52.5 44.1
Monetary freedom 77.3 76.5
Trade freedom 74.6 78.4
Investment freedom 70 80
Financial freedom 50 70

Economic freedom comparison by year

Guatemala
Paraguay
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Guatemala Paraguay
2026 63.5 66.4
2025 63.4 65.2
2024 62.4 60.1
2023 62.7 61
2022 63.2 62.9
2021 64 62.6
2020 64 63
2019 62.6 61.8
2018 63.4 62.1
2017 63 62.4
2016 61.8 61.5
2015 60.4 61.1
2014 61.2 62
2013 60 61.1
2012 60.9 61.8
2011 61.9 62.3
2010 61 61.3
2009 59.4 61
2008 59.8 60
2007 60.5 58.3
2006 59.1 55.6
2005 59.5 53.4
2004 59.6 56.7
2003 62.3 58.2
2002 62.3 59.6
2001 65.1 60.3
2000 64.3 64
1999 66.2 63.7
1998 65.8 65.2
1997 65.7 67.3
1996 63.7 67.1
1995 62 65.9

Data sources: The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1995–2026, retrieved 2026-03-09).

GeoRank.org/economy/guatemala/paraguay | CC BY

The Economic Freedom Index for Guatemala is 63.5, ranking 79/197, compared to 66.4 for Paraguay, ranking 61/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Guatemala Paraguay
Services, % of GDP
61.8%
2024
48.7%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
21.7%
2024
32.5%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
9.78%
2024
10.7%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$106B
2024
$43.7B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$14,170
2024
$17,930
2024
Total reserves including gold
$24.4B
2024
$9.89B
2023
Total reserves ranking
57/177
2024
76/177
2023
Net foreign direct investment
-$983M
2024
-$335M
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$1.85B
2024
$1.1B
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$865M
2024
$166M
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
1.75%
2024
4.58%
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
56%
2023
20.1%
2024
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
16.7%
2024
22.8%
2024

GDP per capita map

1x

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1985–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06); U.S. Census Bureau (1985–2024, retrieved 2026-02-08).

GeoRank.org/economy/guatemala/paraguay | CC BY

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Data sources:

  1. World Bank | Economy & Growth (1960–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06)
  2. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20)
  3. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1967–1999, retrieved 2026-02-20)
  4. The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1995–2026, retrieved 2026-03-09)
  5. U.S. Census Bureau (1985–2024, retrieved 2026-02-08)
  6. TradeMap (2024, retrieved 2026-02-08)
  7. United Nations | World Population Prospects (2026, retrieved 2026-03-10)
  8. LivingCost (2026, retrieved 2025-10-14)

Creative Commons Attribution (CC BY) — you’re free to copy, share, remix, adapt, and use even commercially as long as you give appropriate credit and clearly indicate if you made changes. Other sources may be subject to different license terms.

The current account balance is the sum of net trade in goods and services, net earnings from cross-border investments, and net transfer payments. It reflects a country's economic transactions with the rest of the world and is a fundamental component of the balance of payments. A surplus indicates that a country exports more than it imports, while a deficit shows the opposite.

Gross National Income (GNI) measures a country's total income. It encompasses income earned by residents, businesses, and foreign sources, defined as employee compensation and investment profits. GNI adds product taxes not included elsewhere and subtracts subsidies. It accounts for income from residents working abroad but excludes earnings from foreigners within the country.

A negative value for Net Foreign Direct Investment indicates a country is a net receiver of investments, as foreign inflows exceed outflows after Balance of Payments adjustments. A positive value indicates a net provider, with outflows exceeding inflows. Inflows are credits (increasing foreign claims on domestic assets), while outflows are debits (increasing domestic assets abroad).

Foreign direct investment (FDI, net inflows) shows how much capital foreign investors bring into a country after accounting for any funds that flow back in the opposite direction. It represents the net value of overseas companies establishing, expanding, or financing businesses in the reporting country. A positive number means more capital entered the country than was withdrawn, while a negative number means foreign investors pulled out more than they invested.

Foreign direct investment (FDI, net outflows) shows how much capital residents of a country invest abroad after accounting for any funds that flow back in the opposite direction. It represents the net value of domestic companies establishing, expanding, or financing businesses in other countries. A positive number means more capital was invested abroad than withdrawn, while a negative number means residents pulled back more than they invested.

Principal and interest payments to the IMF in currency, goods, or services on long-term debt expressed as a share of GNI.

Formerly gross domestic investment, gross capital formation measures the share of a country’s economic output invested in fixed assets, including buildings, machinery, and infrastructure. It indicates how much of the economy is devoted to building productive capacity.